WWE SmackDown recap & reaction (8/15)

By Robert Lentini -
August 15, 2017

The Singh Brothers came down to the entrance ramp to introduce WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. Jinder came out in a suit and tie and raised the WWE Championship. Mahal and the Singh Brothers entered the ring as WWE hyped up the match between Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE SummerSlam this Sunday.

Mahal stated that today was Independence Day in the great nation of India. Mahal said that his strength and pride comes from his people. Mahal referred to himself as the greatest WWE Champion of all time and the crowd booed. Dancers and a drummer then performed down the entrance ramp as the Singh Brothers danced in the ring.

A woman then performed the national anthem of India as the crowd booed her out of the building. The dancers and drummer once again performed after the anthem. Jinder scolded the crowd for booing and vowed to defeat their hero John Cena later tonight. The crowd started chanting “USA!” as Mahal claimed that he was the reason people all over the world are subscribing to the WWE Network.

Jinder Mahal stated that he was going to beat John Cena more convincingly than Shinsuke Nakamura ever could. Mahal then instructed the crowd to keep quiet as he spoke in Punjabi. Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme hit and the crowd sang along to his theme as he made his way down the entrance ramp.

Shinsuke entered the ring and had a stare down with WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. Jinder was disgusted that Nakamura disparaged his people on their day. The crowd started to chant “Nakamura”. Shinsuke said that today in Japan is the day we commemorate those that died in war and pray for peace. Shinsuke stated that Sunday at SummerSlam will be the day that Jinder Mahal loses the WWE Championship.

Reaction: This was one of the strangest promos I’ve seen in a long time. The lady that sang the national anthem fought through the boos and it was hilarious. Shinsuke Nakamura sang “to me” at the end of the promo when he claimed Mahal will lose the WWE Championship to him at SummerSlam. It was a bizarre as hell but I enjoyed it.

Becky Lynch vs Natalya

Naomi joined commentary for this match. Becky Lynch knocked Natalya to the mat with a shoulder tackle. Natalya responded with a slap across Becky’s face and Becky connected with a right hand. Lynch then went for the Dis-Arm-Her but Natalya escaped outside the ring. Becky then connected with a Dropkick through the ropes as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

During the break, Natalya once again rolled out of the ring to avoid Becky. Lynch then called Natalya a chicken and started doing the chicken dance in the ring. Natalya then shouted at a fan. Natalya tried to get back in the ring but Becky knocked her off the ring apron. Becky followed Natalya outside the ring and Natalya called for a timeout. Becky laughed but Natalya used this distraction to slam Becky into the barricade.

The action returned to the ring and Natalya beatdown Becky in the corner. Natalya took a break to pose in the ring before applying a Chin Lock. Natalya shouted at Naomi while applying the hold. Becky powered to her feet but Natalya slammed her back to the mat and continued to shout at Naomi while doing so.

Natalya had Becky locked in an Abdominal Stretch as SmackDown returned from the break. Becky fought out of the hold and planted Natalya with an Exploder Suplex. Becky screamed “straight fire” and connected with a forearm for a two count. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter but Becky countered it and went for the Dis-Arm-Her. Natalya blocked the Dis-Arm-Her but got kicked in the face for her troubles.

Lynch went for a Leg Drop off the top rope but Natalya got out of the way and Becky crashed to the mat. Natalya then locked in the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring and Becky Lynch tapped out.

After the match, Natalya appled the Sharpshooter again and Naomi got in the ring. Natalya retreated and laughed on the entrance ramp. Carmella and James Ellsworth then came down to the entrance ramp. Carmella moonwalked and then cackled into the microphone. Carmella raised the MITB briefcase and sarcastically wished Naomi and Natalya luck in their match at SummerSlam. Carmella said “may the best woman win” and Ellsworth chimed in with “and to whoever wins, you lose” and then pointed to the MITB briefcase.

Winner: Natalya

Reaction: I haven’t been interested in Naomi’ and Natalya’s feud simply because WWE has provided no reason to be. They are both great in-ring performers, so I’m sure the match will be fine. The only intrigue here is whether or not Carmella will cash in the briefcase this Sunday.

Tamina and Lana had a conversation backstage. Tamina was pissed off that Lana didn’t use her ravishing ambition to get a match tonight. Lana said that Tamina wasn’t ready and that nobody fears her. Lana stated that if Tamina follows her lead, she will become a destructive force with one single purpose and that is to crush. Lana claimed that together they will become unstoppable and Tamina will be SmackDown Women’s Champion.

The Usos approached Daniel Bryan backstage and Bryan asked if he could be the third member in their rap group. The Usos asked SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan which two members of New Day they were facing at SummerSlam. Daniel Bryan revealed that The Usos will face Big E and Xavier Woods. The Usos then asked for a match against New Day later tonight and Daniel Bryan said that he could “hook them up”. The Usos tried to give Daniel Bryan a fist-bump, but Bryan grabbed both of their fists and shouted “yeah!”. Bryan then pulled his hands away and screamed “boom!” and The Usos walked away. Bryan then stated that The Usos are cool and started dancing.

Rusev vs Chad Gable

Rusev booted Gable in the chest and beat him down against the turnbuckle to start off the match. Rusev connected with a big right hand and then slung Gable into the corner. Gable planted Rusev with a massive overhead Belly to Belly Suplex and Rusev rolled out of the ring.

Gable followed Rusev out of the ring and Rusev launched Gable into the steel steps. Rusev then bounced Gable’s head off the steel steps and launched Gable over the announce table. The referee then counted both Superstars out and the match was over.

Rusev cleared off the announce table and applied the Accolade to Gable on the announce table. The crowd started chanting “Randy” as Rusev let go of the hold. Rusev hopped down from the announce table and grabbed a microphone as the crowd booed. Rusev took his time getting back to the ring as the crowd chanted “USA!”.

Rusev then said “Randy” and Orton slithered into the ring and planted Rusev with an RKO out of nowhere. Orton then posed on in the corner as the crowd cheered.

United States Champion AJ Styles made his way down to the ring to apologize for hitting SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon with a Pele Kick last week. The kick was meant for his opponent at WWE SummerSlam Kevin Owens. Styles asked Shane McMahon to come down to the ring and McMahon danced his way down the entrance ramp to a great reaction from the WWE Universe.

Shane got into the ring as the crowd chanted his name. Shane thanked the crowd and then addressed AJ Styles. Shane McMahon stated that their is no reason for Styles to apologize for anything. Shane stated that the reason he is refereeing the US Title match at SummerSlam was because he can take a hit from either Owens or Styles and keep going.

AJ Styles asked Shane if he was going to use this kick as some kind of incentive to screw AJ over at SummerSlam. Shane warned Styles that if AJ puts his hands on him at SummerSlam, he will retaliate on Sunday. Shane then paused for a bit as if Owens was supposed to come down to the ring sooner. Owens’ music hit and Owens came down to the entrance ramp.

Owens scolded Styles for getting upset and stated that he loved Shane McMahon’s rules for the US Title match on Sunday. Owens said that if he made contact with Shane McMahon at WWE SummerSlam that it would be accidental. Owens said that he was thrilled that Shane is the ref on Sunday because it means that the match will be called down the middle. Owens offered to shake Shane’s hand and Shane said that would not be appropriate and that he should shake Styles’ hand.

Styles and Owens started to trade punches and Shane McMahon tried to break it up. Owens ducked a punch from AJ and Shane caught Styles’ arm. Styles and Shane then started arguing and Owens laughed in the corner. Owens then tried to boot Styles in the back of the head and AJ ducked and Owens accidentally kicked Shane McMahon. Owens then put his head in his hands and left the ring.

Reaction: Shane either had a tough time remembering his lines during this promo or there was some confusion as to when Owens was supposed to come down to the ring. There was a 15 second pause where Shane looked confused and nobody was saying anything. Owens finally came down to the ring and salvaged the promo. This feud was stale leading into this match. The inclusion as Shane McMahon as the special referee certainly adds to the feud, but I’m hoping that it comes to an end after SummerSlam. It sure looks like Shane McMahon will somehow be involved in the finish of the match this Sunday.

The Usos vs Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston

New Day came down to the ring and cut a promo before the match. New Day claimed that they will be the SmackDown Tag Team Champions after SummerSlam. Kofi started out the match and quickly tagged in Woods. Kofi and Woods hit a series of Elbow Drops and Sentons on Jey Uso as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

During the break, The Usos took control outside the ring and beatdown Woods and Kofi. Kofi was isolated in the ring and Jimmy and Jey took turns stomping on him in the corner. When SmackDown returned, The Usos were still in control of the match. Jey slammed Kofi to the mat and then casually walked across his chest.

Kofi battled back and planted Jey with a Back Body Drop. Jimmy and Woods were then tagged in and Woods hung Jimmy up on the second rope and connected with a Dropkick. Kofi was tagged in connected with a kick to Jimmy’s face. Jimmy dumped Woods out of the ring and Kofi connected with Backbreaker.

Woods climbed to the top rope but Jey Uso shoved him off and Woods bounced off the ropes. Jimmy Uso then clipped Kofi’s knee and tagged in Jey. The Usos then connected with a double Superkick on Kofi for the victory.

Finale of Fashion Peaks

Fandango discussed his mental probing by aliens to start off the episode. Breeze showed up in a blonde wig. Fandango held up a rock from space and claimed that the aliens left it his back pocket after he probed him. Fandango threw the rock and hit The Ascension. The Ascension returned the pie that they took from Breezango last week and said that it was terrible. Fandango sifted through the pie and found hair, a used bandaid and gluten. The Ascension flipped out because they live a gluten free lifestyle and left.

Fandango found a note that read “Two B” and said that he feared that the entire tag team division is in danger. Fandango then licked the paper and a message appeared that Breezango will return in 25 years. It then changed to two weeks.

Jinder Mahal vs John Cena

Dueling “lets go Cena” and “Cena sucks!” echoed throughout the arena as the bell rang. Jinder and Cena tied up to start off the match. Mahal showed off his strength and brought Cena to a knee. Super Cena powered back to his feet but Jinder booted him in the mid-section.

Cena responded with a shoulder tackle that knocked Jinder to the mat but Mahal quickly got back to his feet. The referee was distracted and Samir Singh punched Cena in the face on the ring apron. Jinder then raised his fist in the air and tossed Cena outside the ring. The Singh Brothers mocked Cena outside the ring and Mahal posed in the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Mahal was still in control and planted Cena with a Suplex. Jinder once again raised his fist and then charged at Cena in the corner. Cena got out of the way and then leveled Mahal with a couple of shoulder tackles. Cena then posed in the ring and connected with the Five Knuckle Shuffle.

The Singh Brothers dragged Jinder out of the ring and Cena chased after him. Mahal returned to the ring and the Singh Brothers grabbed Cena’s leg as he was trying to get into the ring. Mahal booted Cena in the face and referee Mike Chioda kicked the Singh Brothers out. Mahal flipped out as the Singh Brothers made their way up the entrance ramp.

Cena quickly locked in the STF on Mahal in the middle of the ring as the crowd erupted. Jinder made his way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Cena charged at Jinder but Mahal got his elbow up. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment but Jinder grabbed the top rope. Mahal then connected with a running knee for a two count.

Mahal fired himself up as Cena slowly made his way back to his feet. Mahal grabbed Cena and went for the Khallas but Cena used his strength to pry himself free of Mahal’s grasp. Cena then planted Mahal with the Attitude Adjustment and went for the pinfall. Mahal got his shoulder up at the very last moment and the match continued.

Cena had a grin on his face as he walked towards Mahal in the corner. Cena perched Mahal up on the top rope and then joined him up there. Cena then hit an Attitude Adjustment off the second rope and went for another cover. Baron Corbin then sprinted to the ring and broke up the pinfall and Mahal was disqualified.

Corbin bashed Cena in the face with the MITB briefcase and then slowly walked up the entrance ramp. Corbin stopped and then cashed in his MITB briefcase.

WWE Championship: Jinder Mahal (c) vs Baron Corbin

The bell rang and Corbin punched Cena off the entrance ramp. Mahal then capitalized and rolled up Corbin for the victory. After the match, Cena laughed as Corbin flipped out and destroyed the announce table.

Winner & Still WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal

Reaction: I certainly didn’t see this ending coming. Baron Corbin now joins Damien Sandow was the second Superstar to unsuccessfully cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase. This episode of SmackDown was entertaining. The match between Corbin and Cena now means more because Cena cost Corbin his shot at the WWE Championship.

Natalya is a great in-ring performer? You obviously didn’t watch any of her matches in the past 2 years. She’s one of the most boring performers in the company today. She used to be good but she hasn’t been in a long time.